Let’s take a minute to judge a book by its cover, shall we? Yes, this one’s as wondrous and whimsical as it looks. From book-growing trees to boot camp for bookstore employees to around-the-world-reading trips, these pages will resonate profoundly with lovers of the written word. in profound A book for the most devoted of readers, bookstore-dwellers and embracers of tsundoku.
The I Wonder Bookstore was written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake and published by Chronicle Books.
Jasper’s curiosity and mischief mire him in yet another creepy dilemma, this one involving a seemingly ordinary purple crayon. Things are looking up as the crayon intervenes in Jasper’s life and brings him nothing but good things. But slowly and surely, things spiral out of control. The third installment in this brilliantly creepy series will be in bookstores on August 23.
Creepy Crayon! was written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
For one Filipina girl, her wonderful, indelible memories of summers with her lola are steeped in music-filled days, old Tagalog love songs and pots of brightly savory sinigang stirring on the stove. But what does the girl do when her lola’s memory wanes and she starts to forget things? She heeds Lola’s wise advice — “If you want to hold on, you gotta sing your songs” — and reassuringly sings all of Lola’s favorite songs to remind her of all their special times together. We are so, so excited about this richly layered and poignant story of music, memories and the wisdom and traditions passed on from grandparent to grandchild.
Holding On was written by Sophia N. Lee illustrated by Isabel Roxas and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Out on August 30 and available for preorder now!
Timid Leo is nervous to start kindergarten because it means so many new things and new faces. In kindergarten, there’s a lot that he doesn’t understand and a lot that he feels he can’t do. When Leo’s teacher Ms. Perry asks the class to work together to come up with a Kindness Pledge, Leo is reluctant to speak up. But by the end of the day, with the help of his teacher and classmates, he comes to understand that not only do kind actions speak louder than words, but that he just might be ready for kindergarten after all. A wonderful celebration of kindness and a perfect read-aloud for the first week of school.
KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day was written by Vera Ahiyya, illustrated by Joey Chou and published by Random House Studio.
Koala is on a long ride home. As she looks out the window, she thinks about her best friend who’s moved away. Passing different places special to them, she’s reminded of so many memories — funny moments, quiet moments and moments that smell like coconut sunblock and floating in the ocean. A sweet story about friendship and all of the little things that remind us of dear friends who have moved away.
The Long Ride Home was written and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin and published by Random House Studio.